A third generation volunteer, Theresa Bivaletz is truly altruistic, and shows that a little caring can make a big impact in the everyday.
By Anthony Buccino
Top, Theresa at the 100th anniversary banquet with Grandma Phyllis Bivaletz who got her involved in the social and political doings of their hometown.
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Some 25 years ago, 10-year-old Theresa A. Bivaletz was part of Clifton’s 75th anniversary thanks to a mentor who’s still an active volunteer today. She recalls how her grandmother contributed time and enthusiasm in 1992 to be on the comittee that planned year long events to celebrate the city’s 75th. So when the call went out for volunteers for Clifton’s Centennial in 2017, Theresa signed up to help—and so did ‘Grandma Biv’. Pitching in and being involved is a family thing. Grandmother Phyllis Bivaletz, was “definitely instrumental in getting me involved with politics and the community. She made sure that I was registered to vote before I turned 18. She also helped me when I had to complete community service projects during Sunday school. I remember packing and carrying bags of food for the food drive that city hall used to have years ago. She was always out and about going to meetings for the city and other things she was involved with.” The thirty-something social worker explained why focused community service is important to up and comers like herself. It’s not signing up to do a million things, “as an individual you don’t have to build houses for the homeless. You can start on a smaller scale.”
January 2018 • Cliftonmagazine.com